Magnus

April 13th, 2013 at 10:26 PM ^

Wow...that outside zone run by Rawls was pretty bad defensive play by the second unit.  AJ Williams did a good job blocking it, though.  That's a good sign.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 165896

Reader71

April 13th, 2013 at 10:50 PM ^

I watched offensive line exclusively. Kalis is our best guard, but he's got some work to do. Looks very much like a redshirt freshman. Braden looks like Tarzan but played like Jane. He consistently stopped his feet on contact. He was slow out of his stance. He always caught the defender in pass protection rather than punching. He was absolutely undressed on one defensive line stunt. Looks pretty rough. Magnusson isn't ready. His feet were poor. Very inconsistent pass sets, sometimes too wide, sometimes too narrow. As a run blocker, couldn't get a great read. Bars looked the worst of any of the redshirt freshman. I think true freshman Bosch looked better, and this is more of an indictment of Bars. Not much on Tulley-Tillman. #58 will never play for us, I'd guess. This reads really harsh, but I suppose it should I think we're in some trouble. Man, I wish we had a few upperclassmen so these guys wouldn't have to start. And Funchess can't block a lick.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

AnthonyThomas

April 13th, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^

O-line rarely looks good in spring games. 

I saw Rawls and Drake Johnson at least having enough space to gain a couple yards, which is more than Fitz ever really got last season. These guys are built for this offense and will likely show huge improvement as the season goes on.

 

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 19383

Reader71

April 14th, 2013 at 12:23 AM ^

I'm just talking about what I saw today. They haven't even been through fall camp, so I'm not remotely near any ledge. I don't think we suck, as one commenter said. I think our interior line is pretty poor at this juncture, which is fortunately a long time before we play anyone. Defense could be excellent, as could special teams. That alone would make us a pretty good team. Add in a heck of a QB and we could be really good. For what it's worth, I think Kalis and Braden will end up as great players. They're just not there yet. It's not even surprising; these guys have never taken a real snap. The only guys I have zero confidence in are 58 and 62. I'd be shocked if either ever got meaningful snaps, and took them effectively.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

Farnn

April 14th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^

Only real surprise is Bryant (58), I thought there were good reports on him prior to the leg injury and that he would have started last year (not that starting last year on the interior OL is a ringing endorsement).

Joined: 07/07/2008

MGoPoints: 12788

Reader71

April 14th, 2013 at 1:58 AM ^

I didn't realize he was just cleared to play recently. That would explain a bit though. Still, I think he looked really bad. Even before team period, during the 1 on 1 drills, he looked pretty bad. I guess the good news is that he's still got time and he has a bit of an excuse with the injury. But I still don't think he'll ever play. He's been passed up by underclassmen.

Joined: 08/30/2009

MGoPoints: 22968

AnthonyThomas

April 14th, 2013 at 2:28 AM ^

True, but he has just as much experience as them. He also is not in as good of shape as he will be. He came in way overweight, lost it all, then broke his leg. It's going to take him time. He's been out for the past year. He should steadily improve from here on out. 

Joined: 11/13/2010

MGoPoints: 19383

Mr. Yost

April 13th, 2013 at 10:54 PM ^

I'm rewatching...

Heitzman and Beyer both played more than I first realized. Also we started with Gordon at SS and Wilson at FS. On the 3rd play you see Gordon yelling at Wilson to get in position and Jarrod runs to the deep middle.

Hollowell also got extended snaps on D, not sure if they were hold Taylor out a little bit like Countess.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

SituationSoap

April 13th, 2013 at 11:51 PM ^

To be fair to our O-Line, a lot of people seem to get fooled by Greg Mattison's stunts.

 

The defense was better than the offense, but you expect that this time of year. There were some running plays where $running_back had room to run, and there were some that were swallowed up in the backfield. As an offensive guy, I love watching our defense swarm to the ball.

 

Way too early prediction: this offense isn't going to lead the B1G in rushing, but they are going to be able to move the ball against most defense fronts that we face. Those top level teams that we face are probably going to come down to Gorgeous's gameplan and Devin's ability to win games.

Joined: 09/22/2012

MGoPoints: 4965

eamus_caeruli (not verified)

April 13th, 2013 at 11:43 PM ^

We are so close, it is an extension of giddiness from bball. People need to realize we are gonna be good for a long time if we have this kind of talent who is coached and developed properly consistently.

Joined: 12/12/2017

MGoPoints: 0

no joke its hoke

April 13th, 2013 at 11:52 PM ^

speaking of bball,it was great to see GR3,Levert and Spike at the game today. they walked right by me at my seat before i realized who they were. Not a knock but GR3 is not a very big guy,think he needs to stay and bulk up some. please????

Joined: 01/13/2011

MGoPoints: 3453